San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance wins Grand Marshal Award at 137th Rose Parade

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s elephant-themed float won the Grand Marshal Award for most outstanding creative concept and design at the 137th Rose Parade Thursday.

The float, title “Giant Strides Together,” showcased African savanna elephants and highlighted the upcoming Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, set to open March 5 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido.

Alliance officials said the project is the largest and most transformative in the organization’s 109-year history.

The award recognizes the float’s design and storytelling, which celebrated elephants as keystone species and previewed the immersive new habitat that will allow guests to walk alongside the herd.

For more information, go to sdzsafaripark.org/elephantvalley.